Most MLB players turn to single-minded training gurus once the the winter months begin. Carlos Pena intentionally went in the opposite direction. The Astros’ new designated hitter reunited with his 70-year-old father, Felipe Pena, picking up a routine that was last used when Carlos played in the Cape Cod League during college. Carlos, 34, signed […]
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Brian Todd and Dan Peschong have joined Chip to take a position-by-position look at the 2013 Astros. Both Brian and Dan are not only long-time Astros’ fans, but veteran followers and contributors to this blog. • •• ••• •• • January 23: First Base (Chip Bailey). January 24: Second Base (Brian Todd). January 25: Shortstop […]
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Brian Todd and Dan Peschong have joined Chip to take a position-by-position look at the 2013 Astros. Both Brian and Dan are not only long-time Astros’ fans, but veteran followers and contributors to this blog. • •• ••• •• • January 23: First Base (Chip Bailey). January 24: Second Base (Brian Todd). January 25: Shortstop […]
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There are easy choices at first, second and shortstop. No one will likely argue with an opening day lineup that includes either Brett Wallace or Nate Freiman at first, Jose Altuve at second and Jed Lowrie at shortstop. Third base, however, is a different story. None of the serious or obvious known third base candidates has considerable major league playing time at the position. In fact, the three primary contenders for time at the hot corner this year have started – combined – only 54 games in the majors at that position.
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The future of shortstop for the Astros may be a few years away in the person of youngsters like Giovanni Mier or OBP savant Nolan Fontana, but for this season, Jed Lowrie is the man at shortstop, as long as he is not traded, not injured, not recovering from mono or . . .
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There are trash-talkers and then there are Twitter trash-talkers. Astros pitching prospect Jarred Cosart is both. And he’s ahead of the game, despite only being 22 and having yet to pitch in the big leagues. Whether it’s the Cowboys, Dallas’ unpredictable quarterback (a.k.a. Tony Romo), the Los Angeles Lakers or someone playing the Texans, Cosart’s […]
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The Astros are young, the organization is rebuilding and little is expected of an American League West-bound club that’s combined for 213 losses the last two seasons. In short, Houston needs a leader. Jed Lowrie’s open to the role. The sixth-year shortstop must stay healthy in 2013 to truly contribute to the Astros. Lowrie, 28, […]
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Only a couple of months ago, first base seemed set for the next decade or so. The only question was when Jonathan Singleton would take over and begin his run at the corner that has produced some of the Astros’ most enduring names like Bagwell and Berkman, and even Watson and Davis (as in Glen). Now — at least for the foreseeable future — the job seems to be Brett Wallace’s to lose…again. While it may be considered an open competition, there is very little suspense at first base as the Astros’ prospective list is short.
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SPRING — When it comes to usefulness and practicality, Twitter-based fan polls fall somewhere between preseason World Series predictions and whining about the results of the 2012 American League most valuable player vote. But an MLB Network poll released Tuesday said much about the current state of Houston’s professional baseball team. Third-year second baseman Jose […]
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Individual tickets for the Astros’ 2013 spring training games are available starting 9 a.m. CST Saturday. The Astros’ first home game for the 2013 Grapefruit League season will take place Sunday, Feb. 24 vs. the New York Mets at 12:05 p.m. CST at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla. This year marks Houston’s 29th season […]
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The Astros’ Rhiner Cruz, Xavier Cedeno and Fernando Martinez, among other Houston players, will represent teams in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Cruz, a right-handed reliever, will play for Spain, while Martinez will compete for an outfield spot. Cedeno, a left-handed reliever, will play for Puerto Rico. Chia-Jen Lo (Astros) and Che-Hsuan Lin (Triple-A Oklahoma […]
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General manager Jeff Luhnow said several times the last two months he didn’t expect the Astros to offer contract extensions to any of their arbitration-eligible players. Luhnow slightly changed his outlook Monday. Houston’s GM acknowledged extensions are a possibility, and said the Astros are currently engaged in discussions as arbitration approaches. Bud Norris, Jed Lowrie […]
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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was on Venezuela’s initial roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said Monday. Official rosters will be unveiled Thursday. Ryan Braun, Giancarlo Stanton, R.A. Dickey and Craig Kimbrel are expected to be on Team USA. Luhnow said there’s a chance Altuve is left off Venezuela’s […]
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“All of the formula is coming together and we’re saving our powder for when it’ll have the most impact,” Crane said. “If you talk to any baseball experts, we could’ve spent quite a bit more money and it may not have gotten us anywhere – it may even set us back a little bit on chemistry.”
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